“That’s my n for now,” | say softly. “But the truth is, Karl has his responsibilities here, and | have mine three hours away in the


    city. Neither of us can escape that. So | don’t think it''ll go anywhere, honestly.”


    Elsie listens intently. “I know how difficult that is,” she says.


    Just then, my phone vibrates with a text message, breaking the moment. | nce at the screen to see that it’s from Karl.


    “Can | talk to you?”


    | furrow my brow and stand, pocketing my phone. Elsie shoots me a curious look. “You good, Abby?”


    “Yeah,” | reply. “Karl just wants to talk to me. I''ll be right back.”All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Elsie nods and watches as | slip out of the room. | make my way to Karl''s office, which is located on the other side of the house.


    always felt like it was miles away when we were together, but now, it feels as though it’s right next door.


    I step inside and find Karl sitting behind his desk, a tired expression on his face. “Hey,” | greet him, shutting the door behind me.


    “What did you want to talk about?”


    Karl looks up, his eyes meeting mine. “Hey. Sorry | had to text you. I’ve been... busy.” He then pauses, his gaze flickering over


    my red dress and ck cardigan. “Is that new? You look nice.”


    “Oh, um... Thanks. It is new,” | say, feeling my cheeks flush ever so slightly. | settle into the chair opposite from him, waiting for


    him to continue. “What’s on your mind?”


    Karl takes a deep breath before he begins. “Ethan wants us to go on a double date tonight.”


    | blink in surprise. The idea of going out with Karl’s brother leading up to what could potentially be a brutal election catches me


    off guard. “A double date?”


    Karl nods, his expression earnest. “Yeah. With Gianna.”


    My initial reaction is to decline, to avoid any situation involving Gianna, although | can see the exhaustion in Karl''s eyes.


    | let out a reluctant sigh. “Karl, you know | can’t go out with Gianna. And besides, we''re not together in that sense,” | remind him.


    Karl leans forward, his voice pleading. “Abby, just consider it. My brother really wants to see you, and...” He pauses. “I''d like to


    take you out regardless of what people think here.”


    | waver for a moment, feeling my usual stubbornness beginning to rise inside of me. But as | look at Karl''s tired eyes and hear


    the sincerity in his words, | realize that this means a lot to him, even if he won''t fully admit it.


    “Okay,” | finally say, even though the


    very thought of goinga\twith @ ahha


    rpgiesmawaht te rip my hair out. “I


    guess | could go.” Please read the


    original content at NovelDrama.Org.


    Karl''s face lights up with gratitude,


    and he lets out a reliev c.breatt (1


    Asie nk yosby You won''t regret it.


    ta just view it as a tonic date,


    no strings attached.” Please read the


    original content at NovelDrama.Org.


    | offer a small smile, my heart softening a bit. “Okay. That sounds good to me.”


    “Be ready in an hour,” Karl says, his


    eyes Sweeping over mene tagtytitine


    ri e from myeha Nate You could


    tee You look... perfect.” Please


    read the original content at


    NovelDrama.Org.


    My cheeks flush red, and no words wille. With a stiff nod, | turn on my heel and slip out of the room.


    And the whole way back to my bedroom, despite everything, | can’t help but smile just a little.